Kala Curry Radio at Aakash Dewan's Studio

1. Tell us a little about yourself—who you are, what you do, and how art became a part of your journey.

I’m Aakash, originally from Bombay. I’m currently a design strategist with a European company based in Bangalore. Art has always been a part of my life. My mom, who was also an artist herself, encouraged me to do a lot of it, like making Diwali gifts for people at home or enrolling me in different art classes. When I decided to pursue a career in the creative field, my love for making things by hand led me to study design. I graduated with a master’s in industrial design in 2012 and have had the opportunity to work with various companies and industries in different countries. 

For the past 10’ish years, I’ve been doodling one page every night before bed. It’s like a little meditation for me - this lead me to exploring different mediums and making things larger, compared to an A6 or A5 notebook I would doodle in. 

2. Art isn’t just something we see—it’s something we live with. How does art seep into your daily life? And what does art mean to you?

What art means to me … hmm .. I think what Cesar A Cruz said “Art should comfort the disturbed & disturb the comfortable”. 

For me art is a provocation, in my daily life I doodle for that reason. Everything around me provokes in some way - objects, trees, architecture, etc. whether this translates to “good or bad” art that's a different thing. 

3. Why do you think handcrafted art matters today more than ever?

In the world of AI .. where it’s getting difficult to point out fake or real humans on the internet, I think handcrafting anything is like that pinch that helps you know things are real! 

4. How many years have you been practicing this craft?

For the past 10’ish years, I’ve been doodling one page every night before bed. It’s like a little meditation for me - this lead me to exploring different mediums and making things larger, compared to an A6 or A5 notebook I would doodle in. 

5. What makes an artist an artist? (like who can call themselves an artist/what counts as being an artist)

Anyone who “responds with art” - Something that lead a person to create something (a visual, food, text, music, etc), they can call themselves an artist! - but making it themselves and not getting it made by someone else. 

6. How long does it usually take to create one piece from start to finish?

It really depends on the scale + medium I am using, sometimes an hour or sometimes more than a month.

7. What drew you to the medium(s) you work with?

Drawing / painting has always been something I’ve done. So feeling comfortable with the medium is crucial for me hence paper is my go-to, along with stretched canvases and sometimes fabric and embroidery. 

8. How do you see art products being perceived in an Indian market?

It’s a niche, at least for the “art” I produce - not many in India buy as they don’t want to buy something at a certain price point and I can’t sell at a lower price because I need to justify my effort and material price, etc. I have sold 2 originals in India and about 8 internationally in the last 2-3 years that I started selling through instagram.

I guess people are opening up to buying more art now, social media helps! 

9. Each square in GRIDS feels like it holds a distinct spatial identity- rooms, staircases, windows- altogether forming an entire city. How did architectural references facilitate the storytelling of this series?

As an industrial designer I have the influence of 3D forms, this coupled with the work for mathematician and graphic artist M.C Escher who is a great inspiration for me over the years, has really influenced my current style - which changes quite often but one thing that stays is the 3D forms and depth in my work

10. The brown craft paper edition brings an earthy and rustic tone to what is otherwise a very systematised composition. How does the choice of paper affect the emotional reading of the work?

I think any change in medium and platform will change how a certain work feels to the observer. My other work that is soon to come on KalaCurry will feel completely different from what is there now. So yeah, changing base colour or the platform really changes the feel of the artwork and evokes a different sense within the observer. 

11. Is there a song that captures the spirit of your work or something you love listening to while creating?

There are a few .. but ill mention 2 here
1. Holyfields, by Bon Iver - somehow my playlist is tuned to start with this 

2. And anything by Jungle (like the heat, time, Lifting you, etc.)

Obsessed already? Same. Shop Aakash's art and bring a piece of their world home on Kala Curry.